Review of Hunt's Novel The Elevator

Angela Hunt Writes About Being Trapped in an Elevator

Jul 27, 2009

Angela Hunt is known for her versatility as a writer and a novelist and is the author of more than a hundred books, including The Elevator.

The Elevator by Angela Hunt is everything that one would expect from contemporary Christian fiction. Two of the main characters are over-achieving attractive people whose lives are a whirlwind of activity and who make all the mistakes that one might expect from people who are too busy to contemplate the consequences of their actions. The plot is fast-paced and compelling. The writing is easy to read. The religion can be as superficial as you need it to be or deeper if you need justification for reading it as a Christian book.

Attractive People

Christian fiction often suffers the same syndrome as secular fiction, too many beautiful people. The over-abundance of thin, attractive characters can cause your average reader to wonder if they are somehow less than average in a world where beauty is the norm. Unfortunately, most Christian fiction seems to reinforce this image. However, while there are no hopelessly ugly characters or even homely characters in Hunt’s novel; they are, at least, average.

Compelling Story

The back of the book gives a nice synopsis of the plot “In the path of a devastating hurricane, three very different women find themselves trapped in the elevator of a high-rise office building. All three conceal shattering secrets—unaware that their secrets center on the same man.” Obviously, the reader is expected to read the book in order to discover these shattering secrets.

Fortunately, Hunt’s writing is easy enough that it is not a chore for the reader to keep reading. After the women realize they are trapped and manage to contact an elevator repairman to rescue them, they realize they are stuck with each other for an indefinite amount of time.

Each woman’s thoughts turn inward and Hunt uses their ruminations to quickly dispense their secrets in alternating flashbacks. As the women wait, struggling between fear and hope, each woman remembers tabloid quality moments from their past for the reader’s gratification.

A Surprising and Disappointing Ending

Hunt avoids giving the reader a perfectly packaged ending with a pink bow to wrap all the plot lines. In fact, Hunt reveals a wonderfully ironic tragedy for one of her characters. However, she still manages to fall into the trap of promising lasting friendships built on the dubious foundation of shared peril.

From Shallow to Deep Christianity

If an evangelical Christian message is of secondary or no importance, The Elevator can pass as a shallow almost godless book. However, if you are only interested in deeply spiritual Christian fiction, the book club questions and answers at the end of the book can lead you to a deeper understanding of the intended allegorical meaning in Hunt’s book.

Escapism

Angela Hunt’s novel The Elevator is best read as a quick dose of escapism. While she attempts to give it spiritual depth, it is basically a one-night stand novel. Read it once, enjoy the twisting plot, and then move on.

Hunt, Angela. The Elevator. Steeple Hill. 2007. ISBN: 037378578X. ISBN 13: 9780373785780

The copyright of the article Review of Hunt's Novel The Elevator in American Fiction is owned by Melissa Howard. Permission to republish Review of Hunt's Novel The Elevator in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.